adds up to

USAGE SUMMARY

"adds up to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to equal or make a total amount when all the individual parts are added together. Examples: 1. "Her expenses for the month adds up to $500, including groceries, rent, and utilities." 2. "When we add up the costs of the wedding venue, catering, and flowers, it adds up to a whopping $10,000." 3. "The evidence in this case doesn't all add up to a clear conclusion." 4. "After years of hard work and dedication, her accomplishments all add up to a successful career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It all adds up to something amazing.

The Guardian - Arts

He's guessing it adds up to $173.

The New York Times - Books

That adds up to trouble.

The New York Times

It adds up to exhilaration.

The New Yorker

All of this adds up to eros.

The New Yorker

It adds up to a dreadful mess.

The Economist

It all adds up to less.

The New York Times

This adds up to summer wine.

The New York Times

And it all adds up to Cleopatra.

The New York Times

It adds up to far, far less.

The Economist

That adds up to plus one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance readability, follow "adds up to" with a specific and quantifiable result, such as a number, percentage, or a clearly defined conclusion. This ensures the reader understands the cumulative impact.

Common error

Avoid using "add up to" when referring to a single subject. "Adds up to" requires multiple components combining, whereas a singular subject implies a direct, inherent quality rather than a cumulative effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "adds up to" functions as a resultative, indicating that multiple elements combine to produce a specific outcome or total. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show the phrase used to quantify sums or describe overall effects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "adds up to" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies a cumulative result or total. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various writing contexts. With its neutral register, it fits seamlessly into news reports, scientific analyses, and everyday conversations. The phrase is prevalent in "News & Media", but also finds use in scientific and general informational content. When using "adds up to", ensure it clearly indicates a combined effect or final sum, contributing to precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amounts to

Indicates a final sum or total, similar to "adds up to" but emphasizes the resulting quantity.

comes to

Implies a calculation or accumulation leading to a specific result, resembling the aggregation aspect of "adds up to".

totals

Suggests reaching a final count or sum, focusing on the numerical outcome of the combination.

culminates in

Highlights the final result after a series of events, adding a sense of progression and consequence to the final outcome.

results in

Indicates a direct consequence or outcome of a process, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.

leads to

Suggests a progression or sequence of events culminating in a specific result or conclusion.

contributes to

Emphasizes the individual contributions that collectively produce a final result, suggesting a more collaborative process.

boils down to

Implies simplifying a complex issue or situation to its most fundamental or essential element.

equates to

Suggests equivalence or correspondence between different elements, emphasizing the comparison of their value or significance.

implies

Indicates an indirect or inferred meaning or conclusion, suggesting a more subtle connection between elements.

FAQs

How can I use "adds up to" in a sentence?

Use "adds up to" to show that several things combine to produce a final result. For example, "The cost of the venue, catering, and flowers "adds up to" $10,000."

What are some alternatives to "adds up to"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "amounts to", "comes to", or "totals".

Is it correct to say "add up to" instead of "adds up to"?

"Add up to" is used with plural subjects, while "adds up to" is used with singular subjects. For example, "These expenses add up to $500" but "This expense adds up to a significant amount".

What's the difference between "adds up to" and "results in"?

"Adds up to" indicates that several things combine to make a total, while "results in" indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship. For instance, "The increased workload adds up to stress," versus, "The stress results in decreased productivity."